Infantile Hemangioma

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a vascular tumour of infancy. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) classifies vascular anomalies into tumours, which are proliferative, and malformations, which are defined by the anomalous vessel type. CPS prefers the term "infantile hemangioma"; historic terms such as "strawberry mark" are discouraged. IH are much more common than congenital hemangiomas (CH) and show a characteristic phase of growth and regression. Epidemiology that matters for nursing: CPS estimates that hemangiomas affect 4% to 10% of infants. Because hemangiomas tend to involute, there is often an assumption that they resolve without complication; however, CPS reports that up to 15% of hemangiomas present with complications, most commonly ulceration, pain, permanent functional impairment or negative cosmetic outcome. Natural course: the proliferative phase begins in infancy and often becomes noticeable in the first 4 weeks of age. CPS describes rapid growth during the first 1 to 3 months after birth, with most IH continuing to grow between 5 and 12 months of age, followed by a plateau that typically occurs between 12 and 18 months of age. The involution phase (slow...